World News at a Glance

Dodging Friends, Chased by Legal Troubles, Trump Navigates G-20

For President Donald Trump, his first day at the meeting of the Group of 20 industrialized nations in Buenos Aires, Argentina, was a window into his idiosyncratic statecraft after nearly two years in office. Trump canceled a meeting with President Vladimir Putin of Russia, citing the country’s recent naval clash with Ukraine. Nor did he meet with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman of Saudi Arabia, though they did exchange pleasantries. The president did meet with the leaders of Australia and Japan, as well as with the prime minister of India. But Trump was preoccupied by legal clouds back home, tweeting there was nothing illicit about his business ventures in Russia.

Trade Pact Is Signed at G-20, but Rift Remains for Trump and Trudeau

On Friday morning, U.S. President Donald Trump, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of Canada and Mexico’s president, Enrique Peña Nieto, signed a North American trade pact after 14 months of acrimonious negotiations. Speaking at the Group of 20 meeting in Buenos Aires, Argentina, with Trudeau and Peña Nieto on either side of him, Trump acknowledged that the road to a deal had been difficult. The leaders of the United States and Canada appeared cordial, but disagreements remain. In his remarks, Trudeau urged Trump to remove punishing tariffs on imports of steel and aluminum from Canada, saying they imposed a “major obstacle” on the Canadian economy.

Rains Turn Squalid Migrant Camp Near California Border Into Scene of Fetid Misery

A downpour Thursday morning quickly flooded the open-air sports complex near downtown Tijuana, Mexico, where most members of a migrant caravan from Central America have been parked since they started arriving two weeks ago. Within hours, nothing was left on the spit of dirt many had claimed and inhabited except fetid muck. The rain raised widespread concerns about the spread of illnesses. The migrants, mainly from Honduras and El Salvador, are desperate to start a new life in the United States. But for those who wish to apply for asylum, it will be weeks before they get the chance to present themselves at the San Ysidro checkpoint.

Tear Gas and Water Cannon Hit Belgian Protesters Inspired by France’s ‘Yellow Vests’

Hundreds of protesters inspired by France’s “yellow vests” movement took to the streets of Brussels on Friday, stopping cars and blocking roads as they called for the country’s leader to resign. What started out as a peaceful but unauthorized demonstration — with protesters in fluorescent vests — devolved into violent clashes between dozens of hooded demonstrators. The Belgian police fired a water cannon and tear gas to keep protesters from hurling rocks at the prime minister’s office. At the end of the day, the crowd of about 500 dispersed, and police said about 60 people had been arrested.

Pontius Pilate’s Name Is Found on 2,000-Year-Old Ring

Little is known about the life and work of Pontius Pilate, the Roman official who ordered the killing of Jesus, according to the Gospel. To the short list of clues about Pilate as a historical figure, archaeologists have added one more: a 2,000-year-old copper alloy ring bearing his name. The ring was discovered in the late 1960s, one of thousands of artifacts found in the excavation of Herodium, an ancient fortress and palace south of Bethlehem. But it was not until recently that researchers were able to decipher the ring’s inscription. It reads “of Pilates,” in Greek letters set around a picture of a wine vessel.

U.S. Asks, Are You a Terrorist? Scottish Grandfather Gives Wrong Answer

John Stevenson made an error in an online form for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security by clicking on the wrong answer to a question. The question asked whether he was a terrorist. Stevenson, a Scottish grandfather, said he made an honest mistake, but it might ruin his plans to fly with his wife to New York City on Monday. He ran into trouble filling out the automated form on the Electronic System for Travel Authorization that allows people from selected countries to apply for travel to the United States without a visa. He was not the first to have trouble, but the system seems blind to mitigating circumstances.